In vitro esterification of fatty acids by various alcohols in rats and rabbits.

The ability of six alcohols--1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-amyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol and 1-octanol--to esterify fatty acids in vitro was determined in liver, lung and pancreas from rats and rabbits by incubating tissue homogenates with [14C]oleic acid and isolating and quantifying the esterified fatty acid. There was considerable variation in the amount of esterified fatty acid formed depending upon the alcohol. The relative rates of formation among the tissues were pancreas >> liver > lung. In view of the deleterious effects associated with the esters formed by ethanol, consideration must also be given to these other alcohols as well.